Freeze to continue for at least another month

Shivering Britain can expect at least another month of bitterly cold
temperatures with many parts failing to get much above zero until the middle
of January, forecasters have warned.

A snow-covered warning sign warns of snow in the mountainous Hunsrueck region near Dieblich, GermanyPhoto: EPA

By Martin Evans

8:00AM GMT 10 Dec 2010

So far December has seen some of the coldest temperatures and heaviest snowfalls since 1981, but with no let up on the horizon, it could end up being the worst winter since 1910.

Parts of northern England and central Scotland have seen lows of (0F) -18C while the mercury has continued to drop in the south.

But apart from a brief respite over the coming weekend, when temperatures are expected to climb slightly, the cold snap is likely to continue throughout Christmas and well into January.

Drivers are being warned to remain vigilant and cautious as many road surfaces will be icy and treacherous for many weeks to come.

Helen Chivers from the Met Office said: “Temperatures are likely to remain low for at least another 30 days. Daytime temperatures may only reach as 37F (3C) to 41F (5C) and at night we will see the average well below zero in many parts.